by John Newton
“By the grace of God I am what I am!”
- 1 Corinthians 15:10
The true Christian is sensible and mindful of indwelling sin. He confesses that in everything he comes exceedingly short, and that his best services are not only defective — but defiled.
He accounts himself as an unprofitable servant — and is abased in his own eyes.
He knows that all that distinguishes him from the vilest of men — is the free grace of God!
He derives all his hope and comfort, as well as his strength — from Jesus, whom he has known, received and loved, and to whom he has committed his soul.
He renounces all confidence in the flesh, and esteems all things as loss – compared to the surpassing greatness of knowing Jesus Christ his Lord, for whose sake he has lost all things — considering them rubbish, that he may gain Christ!
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